Cameroon’s chimps find themselves in palm oil’s firing line

It was always evident that visiting the Cameroonian rainforest at the height of rainy season would present a unique set of problems.

Scrambling up a steep bank of mud, dripping with a combination of sweat and rain, arms and legs aching and failing to get a decent grip - it is clear this is not the easiest time for a visit to this densely forested corner in the southwest of the country.

Yet, for chimpanzees and other primates, they thrive under these conditions. There are many of them in the area and they are the reason we are here.

However, if the US company Herakles Farms gets its way, these chimpanzees may soon lose their homes. The company plans to convert large swathes of the area into a palm oil plantation, meaning crucial habitats used by chimpanzees, forest elephants and other critically endangered animals will be removed.

Herakles Farms claims that most of its project area consists of heavily degraded forests and farmland. Greenpeace aerial surveys, analysis of satellite images and field research proves the opposite: vast areas of forest are still largely intact and provide vital corridors for wildlife between the protected areas.

Moving through the forest, listening to the chatter of chimps and other primates it is hard to understand how Herakles Farms could believe that this area is of little conservation value.

Preliminary findings from a new study conducted by the Dschang University, Cameroon, in collaboration with Göttingen University, Germany, and supported by Greenpeace, show that this claim is a false one.

As well as the Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzee, the area Herakles Farms plans to convert is home to the endangered, baboon-like drill – Cameroon is home to 80% of drill habitat – the rare Preuss’s red colobus monkey, the red-capped mangabey, forest elephants and a whole host of rare fish species – some of which can only be found in this part of Africa.

And after a lung-busting plod through thick forest we are able to lay eyes on a cluster of fresh chimp sleeping nests.

Where we are is a forest area sandwiched between four protected areas, including the iconic Korup National Park. Given the roaming and transitory nature of large primates, the forests targeted by Herakles are vital to allow these animals to move from one area to the next.

Animals, such as the chimpanzee, have seen their natural habitat significantly eroded by human activity in recent years. Ill-conceived and ill-intentioned projects, like that of Herakles Farms, will only exacerbate this loss.

The US government is among the parties that have invested heavily in conservation programmes to help preserve chimpanzee numbers. So it is bewildering that an American private company is actively trying to destroy the animal’s home here in Cameroon.

And it is, of course, not just wildlife that will lose out if this project goes ahead. The forest provides a home and livelihood for a number of communities in the area. People still live off the trees and herbs in the area, in addition to farming and hunting. This will all end if Herakles Farms continues its development.

We spoke to one chief who said he would do anything in his power to prevent this from happening. He is not alone in his opposition, but the truth is, he and other residents have not had adequate consultation over the fate of their customary land.

In order to preserve this area of natural beauty, this has to change.

The government of Cameroon needs to act now to cancel this project and implement safeguards and participatory land use planning to prevent more of Africa’s vital and beautiful forests from being destroyed.

Again some big business claiming this and that which they hope usual people will have difficulties to check (thank you that YOU took the trouble to lo...

Again some big business claiming this and that which they hope usual people will have difficulties to check (thank you that YOU took the trouble to look!), and for what? For still a possibility to make money with palm oil. Well, palm oil there is already quite a bit around, while Africa's nature is under threat from many sides (and certainly not easy to restore once it is gone). Thus, STOP THIS NOW!

Well will you show us some hardcore images of dying chimpazees like you did with a tiger last year? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1w69zm_pOMg
May I ask what did your employee do to save the tiger and will you do to really save the chimps?

Thanks very much Jan, that was very excellent. ...And hi Chimp..., and I think they will do the only thing they can do, ...bring Jan's words and ...

Thanks very much Jan, that was very excellent. ...And hi Chimp..., and I think they will do the only thing they can do, ...bring Jan's words and Greenpeace's to the attention of the world's peoples and hope they can persuade the masses to demand change. Communication. They know comparatively small groups of people by themselves, cannot end major operations. They need the support of you and me. When enough of us are upset enough about it and join together, then the masses can and will demand change. It's up to us, Greenpeace is our beacon of light exposing the abuse and greed that is attacking our earth and all it's creatures. We must all stand together if we really expect change.

If it is claimed that Palm Oil contributes to massive deforestation and extinction of wildlife.... then please think again...because Palm oil does lea...

If it is claimed that Palm Oil contributes to massive deforestation and extinction of wildlife.... then please think again...because Palm oil does leave some negative impacts which is considered minimal compared to the biggest vegetable oil producers of Soy and canola of Brazil, US and Canada which has impacted the environment since long ago and not forgetting the major culprit of cattle ranching which is way much devastating to the environment and forests. please get your facts right before judging an industry which is just trying to feed its people, fellow Malaysian and Indonesian and African.